Change – only constant

LAL FONSEKA Productivity Consultant, Brandix Lanka Limited

Change is something we all go through all the time, though we may not realize it. We cannot actually see change taking place; we just see the results of change. Sometimes change is easy, other times it is a long and torturous process.

How difficult change is, depends a lot on your attitude towards it and your resistance to it. Your attitude to change can itself change and make the whole transformation process much easier to bear. It all depends on your perspective.

Change is inevitable, necessary and even desirable. Change is a constant in our lives. Resisting change is the cause of so much unnecessary struggle, turmoil, and stagnation. It is only natural to crave stability in this fast-paced world. But when we understand and embrace the nature of reality it becomes very apparent that change truly is the only constant. Everything is in the process of becoming something else.

The cells in our body are constantly changing and re-creating themselves. The circumstances and people we encounter each day are different from the ones that existed before. If we look closely at our lives, we will discover that it clearly consists of constant change. Nothing remains the same – all life is movement and change.

Our friends change, our beliefs evolve and change as we learn, grow and become wiser, our work changes, our marriages change, kids grow up, parents get older. It is a cosmic dance of change and movement and understanding the fluid nature of our reality can assist us in being in greater harmony with the natural process of life.

Do you ever hear people say: ‘I wish we would just slow down’, ‘Why do we always have to change?’, ‘Can’t we just leave things alone?’, ‘It’s working fine just the way it is’, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.

Maybe you have even said it yourself. Well, you’re not alone. One of the most challenging issues in organizations and business today is change. Some people love it and others hate it. But one thing is for sure, change takes time. We either make change happen so quickly that people do not have time to get on board and make it happen effectively or we are not do what it takes to see change occur when it needs to.

Change and transition are not the same

‘To make radically different’, ‘give a different position, course, or direction to’, ‘to replace with another’, ‘to make a shift from one to another’, ‘to pass from one phase to another’, ‘to undergo transformation, transition, or substitution’

These are just a few of the definitions that the Webster’s Dictionary provides for the word ‘change’. If you notice you see nothing about stability, sameness, stagnation, or stopping. According to the Webster’s Dictionary the word ‘change’ is a verb.

The word itself, therefore, implies movement or action.

On the other hand, one important component of the ‘process of change’ that is often overlooked and underestimated is ‘transition’. Webster’s defines transition as ‘passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another’ Sounds a lot like change, doesn’t it? That is where the problem lies. Organizations and businesses today see change and transition as one in the same.

In fact they are very different. According to William Bridges (Managing Transitions, 2003), “It isn’t the changes that do you in, it’s the transitions.” So what is the difference between change and transition?

We will change whether we want to or not! We simply cannot and will not remain the same. This is the law of constant change. This is the truth of who we are. Accepting, embracing, and understanding this everlasting truth can transform our lives and bring much more fulfilment to daily living. Forget stability; it’s just an illusion. It’s much better to actively participate in the flow of things. Instead of fighting it, we can choose to embrace it. It is easier to flow with the current than against it. Life is always flowing forward, bringing with it constant change.

For example let’s take Sena. Sena has been with his company for 15 years. He has been a faithful and loyal employee. Sena’s supervisor, George, has always given him very positive end-of-the-year reviews. Sena is a model employee. On Monday morning George announced to his staff that the technology department was going to replace their computers. George said they were going to do this the next morning, so they needed to back up any files they did not want to lose. Everyone went back to work, except Bill. He just sat there looking stunned. Later that day George noticed that Sena wasn’t looking very good. He asked if everything was alright and Sena hesitantly said yes.

The next day the technology staff came through and replaced their computers. This process only took an hour or two for each computer. They were very well trained and very efficient at their jobs.

When Sena saw his new computer he was in a complete panic. He could do nothing except just stare at the new monitor. Nothing looked the same. He tried to find his documents but they were nowhere to be found. A couple of days later George noticed that Sena was still not looking well.

He asked if everything was alright. Once again Sena answered, ‘yes’. George wasn’t so sure this time, so he sat down with Sena. George said he noticed that his work had dropped off over the last few days and he just didn’t seem himself.

Finally, Sena broke down and said that he was totally at a loss with his new computer. He was angry and frustrated that his computer was replaced without even being asked. Sena said that he had just gotten used to his old computer and now he has a new one and can’t find anything.

As we actively choose a more flexible approach to life, letting go of rigidity, fear and a pattern of fighting change, we shift into a beautiful open space of acceptance and inner peace. The best, most effective approach is to jump into life and appreciate the flow and movement that is inevitable.

Personal change is a direct reflection of inner growth and empowerment. When we choose to anticipate change and envision ourselves evolving with each transition and challenge, we foster a sense of personal power and allow for true success. The alternative to deep personal change, reinvention and soul evolution, is stagnancy, bitterness, and a slow deterioration and suffocation of the light from our spirit.

Comfort is the enemy of change. We think to ourselves, ‘why change when things are nice and comfortable?’ The fact is that life will change no matter what. Discomfort, tragedy, illness and misfortune, though always unpleasant, can be incredible sources of change and growth. We are continually called to act upon our life experience and we always have the option to grow and evolve with each turn in the road.

There is a beautiful renewal, a rebirth, a renaissance when we change old, limiting habits, beliefs and goals. What was once important becomes unimportant. What was inconsequential becomes urgent. What was ignored is now given the utmost attention. This phenomenal shift of priorities produces startling changes both within and without.